Canadian Photo Shoot

I love family.  Not only for the overwhelming joy they bring but for all the talents, differences, similarities, quirks, sense of humor and everything that makes us different yet still uniquely connected with invisible threads.  It always amazes me that no matter the time spent apart when we all get together it just works.  We fall into the same routines without skipping a beat.  Each person filling the role that we are used to.  For the adults we don't change too much but the kids change so much it is fun to just sit back and observe the amazing human beings that they are.  A great way to catch all the personalities at work is during a family photo shoot.  All the stresses that culminate in beautiful snapshots that capture what was happening in that exact moment of time.  I love the "perfect" pictures where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera but my favorite ones are the ones that just don't quite work.  Where someone is making a face, someone is gazing off in the distance, trying to get someone else to smile, blinking, sneezing - you get the picture.  That is what a perfect picture looks like to me.  It captures us all dressed up and time stops and for just a moment it snaps us as a family wherever we are perfect or imperfect but still priceless.  As a disclaimer I am posting all the "perfect pictures" and this blog title should be posted with a warning that I may at times shamelessly brag, and be sappy and sentimental but in all reality that is what pictures bring out in me.  That could be why I have over 100 gigs of pictures on my computer.  I have no control over time but in a photograph I can stop the whirlwind and hold a fragment of time in my hand and that is why I proudly confess to being a pictureaholic.  

It is my way of keeping memories and time alive.

All the kids grown up

The kids and spouses

Feeling frisky....or a very smart photographers way to hep the husbands 

remain happy for the rest of the photo shoot....take your pick.

Erynn, Shaun, Brett, Keely, Teegan and Peyton

Allie and Demetrius.....plus one on the way!

Scott, Maurita, Tagg, Forest, Berkley and Elle

The whole gang.  It was a miracle to get everyone looking at once but we still 

have some awesome pictures where the kids are showing their quirky personalities. 

Callen was on a role with his funny faces.

The grandkids.  We couldn't believe they were so well behaved although we did shamelessly

bribe them with Canadian slushes.  I have to admit that the promise of getting 

Canadian treats at Town Pump will get my kids to do practically anything.  OK, I will admit it will get me to do practically anything too!  Nothing compares to Canadian treats.  I am a very proud 

American but Canada just does junk food better.

The girls.  We are going to be hopelessly outnumbered soon but 3 

will never be a crowd with my girls.

i

Beauty Queen.  So I know I am a proud mothers but Julie 

(our amazing photographer/cousin) 

captured some beautiful pictures of the kids.

Eat your heart out......

Is that not the most kissable face ever?  Too bad he thinks my kisses 

are too slobbery and told me tonight that when I kiss him while 

wearing chapstick that it is like kissing a fish.

Our little angel.  Yes she has her moments but when she gives me that look and 

laughs her infectious laugh you can't help but marvel at what a gem she is.

Is it just me or do those eyes twinkle?

Now I am not a huge fan of pregnancy pictures and really hate having my picture taken but since this is baby #6 I thought I should document it a little.   The best part is Julie photoshoped my belly button that is constantly poking out.  Tanner thinks it is hilarious to try and poke it back in and Lexie thinks it is funny to tell me how fat I am getting on a daily basis.  Seriously good for my ego.

Brothers - not that it wasn't obvious but to think that my boys may 

grow up to be as big and tall as these 2 men and if they 

become half the man their Dad is they will make me proud. 

The two that started it all.  Who would have thought that these two amazing people would leave such a legacy for us to follow.  I know I picked a great husband but I am even more lucky to have such amazing in-laws, grandparents and a Mom and Dad.  You couldn't ask for better.